Let's Pull For Papi, The Man

Terry Francona said it best, "The games are important, but we have a responsibility to do what's right." The news that MVP-In-Waiting David Ortiz is returning to Boston with a recurrence of heart-related medical issues is obviously a devastating blow to a team that is already reeling. But in this situation, we have to move beyond the obvious and realize that we are dealing with much bigger issues here—a man's life, not just his livelihood. Big Papi is an icon here in the Hub, but he is also a husband, a father, and (although it's easy to forget sometimes), a relatively young man—still almost 3 months shy of his 31st birthday.

And, despite the sports talk show hosts who have made fun of the so-called "politically-correct" view that Papi's health supercedes the team's, let's impart our best hopes and wishes to David Ortiz, the man.

Feel Free To Schedule That Fall Trip!

I think it's important to point out the great public service being performed by the Red Sox for the New England regional economy. By tanking the season early in August, it gives us all a free hand to plan those Fall Foliage trips right now! No need to wait until Labor Day to assess the fortunes of the Olde Town Team and its impact on your Autumn road trip to Coos County, New Hampshire. Not with your 2006 Boston Red Sox on the job. No siree!

The various regional Chambers Of Commerce and Bureaus of Travel and Tourism should plan a Red Sox Appreciation Day at Fenway (maybe during the August 18th Doubleheader against the Empire). So, go ahead and call that little Bed & Breakfast in Conway and lock in the Early Bird rate. And, as you revel in the glorious panoply of color on that pristine October morn, just remember—you could have been cooped up in a cramped seat at Fenway watching the playoffs. Lucky you!

Papi And Human Clutch Hormone (HCH)

If I'm George "Phineas T. Bluster" Steinbrenner, I'm calling Commissioner Bud Selig today and demanding a new testing regimen: for Human Clutch Hormone (HCH). It's the only recourse for the Bronx Big Mouth if he wants to stop David Ortiz from (once again) ruining his Fall. How many times do you think he's called in that poor sap, Brian Cashman, to explain—one more time—why he didn't claim Papi off Team Wobegon's scrap heap?

Are there any more superlatives left for this guy? How many more times can Joe Castiglione shout, "Can you believe it?" before we all yell back, "Yes, we can!"? Ortiz has eight walk-off home runs (7 for the Sox) in just under 4 years of full-time play. Do you have any doubt that he will eventually pass all those (including Babe Ruth) currently ahead of him on the list? I don't care how many stat geeks de-bunk "clutch hitting" as a nonexistent phenomenon. It's real. Ask Fausto Carmona.

(Term "HCH" invented by FenwayNation Board member Henry Kanter)